Introduction to Political Science

THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Dr. Diosdado P. Estimada

Topic OutlineTopic Outline
What is Political Science?
Activity no. 1 --- How Well Do You Know
Political Science?
Activity no. 2 --- Case Analysis
Activity no. 3 --- Case Analysis
Why Study Political Science?
Activity no. 4 --- Group Dynamics
Scope of Political Science
Interrelationship with other Studies
Activity no. 5 --- Fishbowl
Self-Assessment Questions

Topic DiscussionTopic Discussion
What is Political Science?
Etymology:
- “Political” comes from the Greek word “polis”
(city; sovereign state)
- “Science” comes from Latin word “scire” (to
study/know)
Thus, in simple terms:
- Political Science is the systematic study of the
state and government

Three Stages of Development
Political Science, as a discipline, may
be chronologically divided into three
overlapping stages of development,
namely; the charismatic stage, the
metaphysical stage and the modern
stage (Deldacan, 2005).

1. The Charismatic Stage
is inspired with divine right of
leaders. They were believed to have
been appointed by divine providence.
Thus, all actions headed by the leader
were deemed as prompted by god or
some kind of supernatural being.

2. Metaphysical Stage
the state was treated as human institution
and no longer divine. The creation of state
was an ultimate attainment of human
association.
This stage was profound by the Greeks,
such that of Aristotle and Plato.

3. Modern Stage
the state was still considered as a
human institution but it was deemed
capable of being improved by rulers
and subjects according to certain
principles and laws.

 According to Robert Dahl, the term
“political science” is simply defined
as the systematic study of politics,
“which will mean a systematic
analysis to discover in the confusing
detail whatever principles may
exist of wider and more general
significance” (Ayson and Reyes,
1993).

 The systematic study of politics is
distinguished from the practice of
politics. The student of politics or
political scientist may serve as an
adviser to the political practitioner.
 The political practitioner is a
politician. But of course, the same
person may at the same time be a
political scientist and a politician.

Activity no. 1 = Things to PonderActivity no. 1 = Things to Ponder
Concepts
How Well Do You Understand
Political Science, Politics,
Politico or Political Scientist?

 Let’s try to test how much you know about them.
Choose one among the listed concepts and
describe it as you wish. For instance you choose
politics. Then describe politics in two letters
from A to Z. Explain your answer with a
sentence(s).
 For example: A = Arts, politics is an arts because
through strong personal charisma, excellent
communication, great sense of humor and the
like, you can convert No to Yes or Yes to No
 S = Science, politics is a science because it
investigates, analyzes, collects data, conducts
research and the like before making report,
finding, conclusion or recommendation.

A B C D E
F G H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S T
U V W X Y
Z

Activity no. 2 = Case AnalysisActivity no. 2 = Case Analysis
Case Situation:
Mr. X writes a book on political science entitled: “Teaching and
Learning Philippine Government and New Constitution”. He teaches
this subject in several colleges and universities. He makes researches
to gain as much as possible reliable knowledge about facts of politics.

Question:
Is Mr. X a political scientist or a politician? Support your reasons.

Case AnalysisCase Analysis
Case Situation
Niccolo Machiavelli served as secretary of the of the
Republic of Florence for many years, and in
diplomatic missions to Popes, Emperors and Kings.
After that period, he ended his career in government
and wrote two masterpieces: The Prince and The
Discourses which made him popular up to this day.

Question: Analyzing the above case situation, was
Machiavelli a politician or a political scientist or both?
Substantiate your answers.

Why Study Political Science?Why Study Political Science?
There are several reasons why we should study
political science, they are:
1.Business of Everyone. Our present generation is
now the age of politics in which government has
become business of everyone. From the time we
are born to the time we die, we are all part of
the government. Our birth, marriage, children,
residence, school, licensure examination, and
even death must be registered with the
government.

2.Educate Student for Citizenship. Political
science equips them with knowledge about their
rights, duties and obligations in a democratic
milieu. Intelligent and responsible citizen makes
a democratic nation strong and stable. Ignorance
of the civic right, duties and obligations weakens
the national foundation and causes its collapse.

3. Gain Knowledge and Understanding of
Government-- the “good” citizen knows how
his government operates, what his rights and
obligations are, who his elected representatives
are, and what they stand for.
4. Broadens Man’s Cultural Background– it is not
enough to know about social, natural and other
sciences, we must also know something
functions of state, law, justice system, local
government, public finance and even
international relations, etc.

Activity no. 4 = Group DynamicsActivity no. 4 = Group Dynamics
Procedure:
1. Divide the class into small groups. Assign a
discussion leader and a secretary. Let all
members of the group share their responses.
The secretary summarizes the responses.
2. The discussion leader will share to the plenary
the group’s consensus.
3. The facilitator makes a synthesis of each
group’s report, integrates this and uses it as
motivation.

Activity no. 4 = Group DynamicsActivity no. 4 = Group Dynamics
Finally, ask the students to reflect and answer the
following questions:
1. How come political science becomes business to
everyone?
2. What do you do for the government and what
the government do for you?
3. How do you perceive the Philippine political
system? and
4. What do you know about your government and
the laws?

The Scope of Political ScienceThe Scope of Political Science
The scope of political science means the
categories or specialized fields included in
its study and usually divided into the
following topics:
1. Political Theory
 history of political ideas
 political theory and methodology

2. Political Institutions
 the constitution
 national government (executive, legislative
and judiciary)
 local government
 public administration
 comparative political institutions

3. Parties, Groups and Public Opinion
 political parties and election
 pressure groups and associations
 public opinion
4. International Relations
 international politics
 international organizations
 international law

Relationship of Political Science toRelationship of Political Science to
other Disciplinesother Disciplines
Political Science and History --- The bond between
the political scientist and historian is obvious in the
observation that “history is past politics and
politics presents history”.
The political scientist frequently adopts a historical
approach and employs knowledge of the past when
he seeks to interpret present and probable
development in political phenomena. (E.g. The
centralization of government in the Philippines, can
be traced back to the barangay government in pre-Spanish
where all powers of government were centered on the local
executive, the Datu).

Political Science and Economics ---
Economics is a study of the production,
distribution, conservation and consumption
of resources. It is in this essence, that
political science receives energy from
economics.
By employing economic approach, a student
of political science gains an insight into
economic conditions of the state.

Also, political scientist regularly adopts an
economic approach when seeking to
interpret matters related to public financial
policies, and government regulation of
business.

Psychology is a study of human
and animal behavior. The study of
political behavior of man is an
example of how political science
used psychology in their theories
about politics.

Political Science and Accountancy --- Accountancy is the
discipline which ensures that public revenues are lawfully,
effectively, efficiently, and economically spent through
proper auditing procedures and due diligence.
Political science ensures that public resources including
billions of tax revenues are spent to satisfy public interests
and public welfare. Political science decides how much
budget is needed to finance a local, regional or national
development program. Accountancy ensures that the budget
does not end into private pockets and private accounts.

Political Science and Sociology --- Society is
the life of sociology. Demographics like
population growth rates, mortality, fertility,
employment and unemployment life
expectance and the likes are necessary
requisites for politicians and policy makers
to formulate quality legislation.

Activity no. 5 Fish Bowl
Procedure:
1. The teacher directs the class to form two circles: an outer and an inner one,
both of
which must be of equal in the number of participants.
2. The participants in the inner circle move clockwise, while those in the outer
circle
move counter-clockwise as they dance with music.
3. Once the music stops, the participants in the inner circle face those in the outer
circle.
4. The partners are then asked to talk on the topic to be announced by the
teacher.
Example: Tell me the importance of political science in your life as a
student and as a citizen.
Other examples: the relationship of political science with history or

B. Concepts of State and GovernmentB. Concepts of State and Government

The Meaning and Nature ofThe Meaning and Nature of
the Statethe State
Dr. DIOSDADO P. ESTIMADA
Faculty, CAS

The Concept of State and Government
Elements of a State
The Inherent Powers of the State
Activity no.6 (case analysis on police power)
Activity no.7 (case analysis on eminent domain)
Activity no.8 (case analysis on taxation)
Some Theories on the Origin of States
How is State Distinguished from Nation?

How is State Distinguished from
Government?
What is the Concept of Government?
The Nature of the Present Philippine
Government
Forms/Types of Government Experimented
in the Philippines
Brainstorming
Guessing Games

Meaning of StateMeaning of State
 According to James Garner, a state is a
community of persons more or less numerous
occupying a definite territory completely free
of external control and possessing an
organized government to which the great
body of inhabitants renders habitual
obedience.
 The above definition of Garner, mentions
four essential elements of the state: people,
territory, government, and sovereignty.

Elements of State

STATE
People Territory Government Sovereignty

Elements of a StateElements of a State
1.People
- The mass of
the
population
living within
the state.

 They are human beings,
male and female, who live
together for a common
end, notwithstanding
differences in race, color,
religion, or culture.
 They must be sufficiently
numerous to assure
continued existence as a
collective body otherwise
the ends of the union may
be frustrated.

Note:
Community of persons, more or less numerous” means that
the people as an element of a State “should be neither too
small nor too large: enough to be self-sufficing”. For
example, the Vatican City under the Pope is the smallest State
with eight hundred thirty six (836) citizens as of July 2012;
the island Republic of Nauru with nine thousand three
hundred seventy eight (9, 378) citizens as of July 2012; the
Philippines with an estimated ninety seven million six hundred
thousand (97.6 million) people this year 2012; and China with
an estimated one billion, three hundred forty three million two
hundred thirty nine thousand and nine hundred twenty three
citizens (1, 343, 239, 923) as of July 2012.

2. Territory
- demarcated
area that rightly
belongs to the
population

 The space on earth occupied by
the state must be more or less
fixed to settle eventual
disputes on jurisdiction: the
territorial unity, however, need
not be a geographical one; it is
sufficient that it be juristic
(recognized by law) in
character.
 Hence the territory may be
"integrated territory"
(geographically united) or
“dismembered
territory"(geographically
disunited as in the case of
colonies beyond the seas.)

3. Government
- Refers to the
agency to which the
will of the state is
formulated,
expressed, and
carried out.

Government is the
machinery or the
instrument by which the
power in a state expresses
its will and exercises its
functions; it is the
framework of political
institutions, departments,
and offices, by means of
which the executive,
judicial, legislative and
administrative business of
the state is carried on.

Element of a StateElement of a State
4. Sovereignty
it is defined as the
supreme and final
legal authority of the
state to enforce its
will on its members by
coercive sanctions, if
necessary, which must
not be subject to any
like power.

Two aspects of SovereigntyTwo aspects of Sovereignty
1. Internal Sovereignty -- It is
the supreme or absolute power
of a state to enforce its will on
the people within its territory.
2. External Sovereignty --
means independence of a state
from control by any other
state. It is the power of an
independent state to control
and direct its external affairs
such as the authority to enter
into treaties with other states,
to wage war, and to receive
and send diplomatic missions.

Case Situation
A perusal of the Charter of the United
Nations will reveal that only states are
qualified to become members of the
organization. The Philippines, was represented
by the Commonwealth government, was
accepted as an original member of the United
Nations.
Question: Was the Philippines a state at that
time?

Answer:
NO. During the Commonwealth
period, the Philippines had some
sort of internal and external
sovereignty but it was not yet a
state for it was still under the
control of the United States of
America.

Case Situation:
The Republic of China (POC) is an island 100 mi
(161 km) off the Asian mainland in the Pacific. After
the defeat of its armies on the mainland, the
Nationalist government of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-
shek retreated to this island and formed
The Republic of China (Taiwan).Chiang dominated
the island and maintained strong armies in the hope of
eventually recovering the mainland. Beijing viewed
the Taiwanese government with suspicion and anger,
referring to Taiwan as a breakaway province of China.

Question:
The People’s Republic of China
(PRC) treated Taiwan under the
“One China Policy” as one of its
provinces.
Is Taiwan under the “One China
Policy” a state?

Answer:
Though the PRC under the “One China
Policy” treated the island of Formosa, now
Taiwan, as a mere province of China mainland,
Taiwan is a state because it exercises both
internal and external sovereignty, the PRC has
no control over the machinery and
administration of the government in Taiwan.

Inherent Power of the StateInherent Power of the State
Every State exercises three fundamental and
inherent powers, namely:
1. Police Power It is the inherent power of the
State to regulate liberty for the promotion of the
general welfare. As pointed out by (Garcia and
Pinzon) this is the most pervasive, least
limitable, and most demanding of the three
powers.
This concept is based on the premise which says
“the welfare of the people is the supreme law”
(salus populi est suprema lex).

Inherent Power of the StateInherent Power of the State
The power is plenary and its scope
is vast and pervasive, reaching
and justifying measures for public
health, public safety, public
morals, and the general welfare
(Nachura, 2002).

Inherent Powers of the StateInherent Powers of the State
1. Police Power
It is defined as the power of promoting
public welfare by restraining and regulating
the use of liberty and property.
“Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex” which means
“The Welfare of the People is the Supreme
Law”

Case Situation:
Under the Constitution, the workers have the right
to strike.
Under the Labor Code however, the Secretary of
Labor is given the authority and discretion to
determine what industries are indispensable to the
national interest and thereafter assume jurisdiction
over disputes in said industries, which in effect
prevents the workers to go on strike.
Question: Is the provision of the Labor Code
violates the Constitutional Rights of Workers to
Strike?

Answer:
No. It does not interfere with the worker’s
right to strike but merely regulates it, when
in the exercise of such right, national
interest will be affected.
The assumption of jurisdiction is in the
nature of police power measure. This is
done for the promotion of the common good
considering that a prolonged strike or
lockouts can be inimical to national
economy.

2. Power of Eminent Domain
 This refers to the inherent
power of the state to take or
expropriate private property for
public use upon payment of just
compensation to the owner.

Case Situation:
 The Government of Quezon City
enacted an ordinance requiring
private cemeteries to reserve 6% of
their total areas for the burial of
paupers.
 Question: Is the ordinance a valid
exercise of power of eminent domain?

Answer:
 No. It is not valid. There was here
taking of private property for
public use but without payment of
just compensation in violation of
the principles governing eminent
domain.

3. Power of Taxation
 It is the power of the State to demand from
the people their proportionate share on
contribution in the maintenance of the
government.
 The power of taxation proceeds upon the
theory that the existence of government is a
necessity, but it cannot continue without
means to pay its expenses, and that for these
means it has a right to compel all its citizens
and property within its limits to contribute

Case Situation:
 In connection with the recovery of the ill-
gotten wealth of the Marcoses, the PCGG
entered into a Compromise Agreement with
the Marcoses whereby the latter will be
granted exemption from all forms of taxes
over the properties to be retained by them.
 Question: Is the Compromise Agreement
Valid?

Answer:
 No. The power to tax and to grant
exemptions is vested in the Congress and, to
a certain extent, in the local legislative
bodies. The PCGG has absolutely no power
to grants tax exemptions even under the
cover of its authority to compromise ill-
wealth cases.

State Distinguished from NationState Distinguished from Nation
 Nation should not be confused with the
State as they are not the same.
 The State is a political concept, while
Nation is an ethnic concept. A nation is a
group of people bound together by certain
characteristics such as common social
origin, language, customs and traditions,
and who believe that they are one and
distinct from others.

 A state may consist of one or more nations
and conversely, a nation may be made up of
several states.
 Examples:
 Arab Nation is divided into several states,
such as: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria,
Lebanon, and others.
 The United States is a melting spot of
several nationalities.

 United State of America is a federal
republic comprising of fifty states and
one federal district.
 They are states of Nevada, California,
Utah, Arizona, Nebraska, Texas
Indiana, Florida, Montana, Colorado,
Maine, Kentucky, Georgia, New York
etc. and Washington D.C.

 Question:
 How would you classify Philippines
in terms of two concepts? –that is
state is a political concept, while
nation is an ethnic concept.
 Answer:
 Philippines is a STATE composed
of one Nation.

o The Meaning of Constitution
Nature and Purpose of a Constitution
The Supremacy of Constitution
The Self-Executing and Non-Self Executing
Effects of Declaration of Unconstitutionality
Ways of Amending the Constitution
Brainstorming
Guessing Games

The Meaning of Constitution
 The term constitution refers to “that
body of rules and principles in
accordance with which the powers of
sovereignty are regularly exercised.”
 As implied by the definition, it covers
both written and unwritten constitution.

 With particular reference to the constitution of
the Philippines, it may be defined as a written
instrument by which the fundamental powers of
the government are established, limited and
defined, and which these powers are
distributed among the several departments for
their safe and useful exercise for the benefit of
the people.

Nature and Purpose of Constitution
 To prescribe the permanent framework of a
system of government
 To assign to the several departments their
respective powers and duties

Supremacy of Constitution
 It is a supreme law to which all other laws must
conform (e.g. ordinances, national law). In
other words, our Constitution is supreme over
ordinance or national law.
 The principle of supremacy of the constitution
equally applies where there is conflict between
international law, treaties and the Philippine
Constitution.


Supremacy of Constitution
 Under the 1987 Constitution, the Judiciary is
empowered to declare the law
unconstitutional, whether domestic or
international. This is equally applies to
treaties.

 Under the 1987 Constitution foreign merchant vessels
cannot exercise both right of innocent passage and
involuntary entrance in the internal waters of a state.
 Since the Philippines constitutionally treats waters
within the archipelagic baseline as internal waters,
foreign merchant vessels can neither exercise right of
innocent passage nor the right of involuntary
entrance.
 However, under the UN Convention on the law of the
Sea, foreign merchant vessels may exercise right of
involuntary entry in the waters within the
archipelagic line.
Question: How can a court resolve this conflict?

AnswerAnswer
This conflict between the Constitution and
the international law should be resolved by a
Philippine court in favor of the supremacy of
the former over the latter.
However, the rule differs if the matter is to
be considered by an international forum, which
would be more inclined to sustain the
supremacy of international law.

Non-Self Executing and Self ExecutingNon-Self Executing and Self Executing
Provisions of the ConstitutionProvisions of the Constitution

Non Self-Executing and Self ExecutingNon Self-Executing and Self Executing
Non-Self-Executing
They do not confer
rights nor impose
obligations. Their
mandate can only be
realized by the
enactment of laws. They
are sleeping provisions
and can only be
awakened by legislation.
Self-Executing
The Self-Executing
Provisions– They are
complete and operative
without the aid of
supplementary or
enabling legislations.

After serving three consecutive terms as Mayor
of Pateros, Atty. Pepino Kapco was succeeded by
his brother Atty. Sendo Kapco, who also served
three consecutive terms. Groomed to become
Mayor, Atty Voya Kapco, son of incumbent Mayor
at that time, filed a certificate of candidacy for
mayoralty race in Pateros.
Atty. Mikeguel immediately filed a petition with
the Comelec to disqualify Att. Voya on the ground
of violation of the rule against political dynasties.

ContinuationContinuation
Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution states:
“The State shall guarantee equal access to
opportunities for public service and prohibit
dynasties as may be defined by law.
Question:
Will the petition against the “Kapco Dynasty” in
Pateros prosper?

AnswerAnswer
NO. The policy of the state against political
dynasty is non-self-executing provision of the
Constitution. Congress must first pass a law
defining political dynasty and prescribing
penalties for violation thereof such as
disqualification of a member of a political
dynasty to run for elective office.
Without an implementing law on political
dynasty to wake up such policy, it will remain a
sleeping provision of the Constitution.

The Self-Executing
Provisions– They are
complete and operative
without the aid of
supplementary or
enabling legislations.

Under the 1987 Constitution, specifically,
Article III, Section 19 which states that “ Neither
shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for
compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, that
Congress hereafter provides for it.
Question:
Is Article III, Section 19 of the Constitution a self-
executing provision?

AnswerAnswer
With respect to the rule on the non-imposition
of death penalty, the same is self-executing. After
the affectivity of the 1987 Constitution but before
the enactment of the Death Penalty, the court of
law cannot impose death penalty.
No legislation is required to make the provision
prohibiting the imposition of death penalty
operational.

With respect to the imposition of death penalty
in cases involving heinous crimes, such
constitutional rule is a non-self-executing
provision because of the phrase “the Congress
hereafter provides for it.
Thus, Congress must pass an implementing law
to define heinous crime and impose death penalty
if there is compelling reason to do so.

Effects of the Declaration ofEffects of the Declaration of
UnconstitutionalityUnconstitutionality
Orthodox View
Under this view, an
unconstitutional act is
not a law, it is
inoperative, as if it has
not been passed.
The declaration of
unconstitutionality by
the court of law is given
retroactive.
Modern View
Under this view, the
court will simply refuse to
recognize the law as if it
had no existence.
In sum, the effect of
declaring a law
unconstitutional is
prospective rather than
retroactive.

Congress passed a law authorizing City and
Municipal Mayors and Provincial Governors to
solemnize marriage. For 20 years, there were
approximately 500,000 marriages solemnized by
Mayors and Governors. However, records will
show that the law was unconstitutional for lack
of majority approval of the Senators.
Question:
What will be the effect on the said 500,000 if the
court declared it unconstitutional?

AnswerAnswer
If the court will follow the Orthodox View, then
the law is null and void from the very start. The
nullity of the law will make the 500,000
marriages invalid and millions of children born
out of those invalid marriages will be
illegitimate.
Because of the harsh and absurd effect of
applying the Orthodox View, the court will simply
refuse to recognize the law following the modern
view

Thus, from the day the court declared the law
unconstitutional, Mayors and Governors cannot
anymore solemnize marriages.
However, the 500,000 marriages solemnized by
Mayors and Governors prior to the judicial
declaration of unconstitutionality of the law will
remain valid.
Only marriages solemnized by Mayors and
Governors after the said declaration are null and
void.

______________________________________________________________
1 2 3 41 2 3 4 55 66 77 88 9 109 10

Essential Parts of a ConstitutionEssential Parts of a Constitution
1. Constitution of Government
It is a portion of the Constitution that establishes the
main branches of government, defines the powers of the
government and assigns them to the said branches.
Under the Philippine Constitution, the following belong to
this category:
a. Executive art VII b. Legislative Art VI c. Judiciary art
VII d. Constitutional Commission e. Local Government
f. Accountability of Public Officers

2. Constitution of Liberty
It is a portion of the Constitution which lays down the
individual’s basic rights and freedom, which are a
protective shield against abuses of government.
Under the Philippine Constitution, the following belong to
this category:
a. Bill of Rights art III b. Citizenship art IVc. Suffrage art
V d. Declaration of Principles and State Policies art II
f. National Economy and Patrimony

3. Constitution of Sovereignty
It is a portion of the Constitution which provides the
process for the exercise of people’s sovereign power to
approve, amend, revise the constitution
Under the Philippine Constitution, the provision of
amendment or revision under Article XV11 belong to this
category.

Process of Constitutional AmendmentsProcess of Constitutional Amendments
(Ways of Amending the Constitution)(Ways of Amending the Constitution)

ARTICLE XVIIARTICLE XVII
AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONSAMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS
 Section 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this
Constitution may be proposed by:
(1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-
fourths of all its Members; or
(2) A constitutional convention.
 Section 2. Amendments to this Constitution may
likewise be directly proposed by the people through
initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum
of the total number of registered voters, of which
every legislative district must be represented by at
least three per centum of the registered voters therein.
 No amendment under this section shall be authorized
within five years following the ratification of this
Constitution nor oftener than once every five years
thereafter.

ARTICLE XVIiARTICLE XVIi
The Congress shall provide for the
implementation of the exercise of this right.
 Section 3. The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds
of all its Members, call a constitutional convention,
or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to
the electorate the question of calling such a
convention.
 Section 4. Any amendment to, or revision of, this
Constitution under Section 1 hereof shall be valid
when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a
plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty
days nor later than ninety days after the approval of
such amendment or revision.

ARTICLE XVIiARTICLE XVIi
 Any amendment under Section 2
hereof shall be valid when ratified
by a majority of the votes cast in a
plebiscite which shall be held not
earlier than sixty days nor later
than ninety days after the
certification by the Commission on
Elections of the sufficiency of the
petition.

Introduction to Political Science

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